A rticles and advertisements in the Ada Hub do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the magazine or Twelve Media Group,
Inc. Twelve Media Group, Inc. does not assume responsibility
for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.
The acceptance of advertising by Ada Hub does not constitute
endorsement of the products, services or information. We
do not knowingly present any product or service that is
fraudulent or misleading in nature. Ada Hub assumes no
responsibility for unsolicited materials.

The Mac & Cheese: Start by boiling 1 gallon of water and cook your
elbow pasta for 7-8 minutes or until soft. In a separate bowl, mix all of
your cheese and put a ½ cup of the mix of cheese to the side for later.
While the pasta is still hot, add the cheese mix with your sour cream to the pasta until well blended. Place the mixture
into an oven safe dish and top with the left over cheese. Cover with foil and place in an oven at 350 degrees
for 30-40 min.
The Topping: In a sauté pan cook off your bacon slowly as to render (cook out the fat) off all of the fat. Once cooked,
remove the bacon from the pan and allow to dry. Dice your onion and sauté them in the bacon fat. Once the onions are
translucent, add the butter and bread crumbs. Cook for 2-3 minutes and turn it off. Crumble in the bacon and mix.
Once the macaroni comes out of the oven, top it with the bread crumb mix and allow to set for 5 min before serving.
The Coffee Rub: For the coffee rub mix all the ingredients together and sprinkle generously on to your favorite steak.
I use a rib eye and sear it in a cast iron pan for a great crust. Only cook it for about 1-2 minutes in a cast iron pan on
each side of steak and finish cooking it in a 400 degree oven in the cast iron pan to your doneness of choice.

providing the “reality factor” in
legal services | by George Snyder
The Kingery Law Firm is a fairly new addition to
Ada’s legal community, having opened its doors in September 2013, but Ada native Bryan Kingery has more
than 20 years of legal experience as an Ada-based
attorney, 17 years of which he was vice president
of Wyatt, Austin, Kingery & Hale (WAK&H), a highly
regarded statewide law firm practicing in the field of
worker’s compensation, Social Security, personal injury,
and other fields of law.
Kingery, is an OU and OU Law School graduate
who completed his legal internship at the Pontotoc
County District Attorney’s office, worked as an associate at a local general practice law firm, and had his
own private practice firm prior to joining WAK&H. He
says his work with WAK&H was always stimulating, but
with the dissolving of the firm—and as he completed
his second decade as an attorney—Kingery decided
to act on a growing conviction to strike out on his own
and create a general service law firm that would reflect
his personal perspective on the practice of law.
“I’m a realist and I’ve always practiced law in a
practical, realistic and client-focused manner,” Kingery
said. Whether it’s personal injury, estate planning,
family and domestic law, “workers comp” or other legal
issues, Kingery and his six-person staff utilize what he
calls the “Reality Factor,” which includes being practical, efficient, cost-effective and results-oriented.
And it starts at the front door and at the first
meeting. “When we meet with a potential client, after
listening to their concerns, my first question is always,

does this person actually need a lawyer for
what they are trying
to achieve,” he said. If
there is a need for legal
service, the Kingery Law
Firm works diligently
to provide the best
possible outcome for
the client, whether it’s
a core legal service,
negotiating with another
party or even going to trial. But in some cases Kingery counsels against a legal approach when
the issue can be resolved by other means or when it’s not a legal issue at all.
From a practical perspective, Kingery says legal services are like tools that should be
used for their proper purpose. Hammers are good for driving nails, but useless for sawing wood.
“This approach is at the heart of the “Reality Factor” and I’ve always found it to be beneficial in
the practice of law and now as a core principle of our business,” Kingery said.
Legal Administrator Bill Willett has been instrumental in bringing the “Reality Factor” into
the firm’s business management systems and he also serves as a key ally in business expansion. For Kingery, an added benefit of leading his own firm is the opportunity to focus much of
his practice in his hometown of Ada, a community which he says has given him so much over
the years.
At the same time, after many years of legal practice for a statewide law firm, Kingery has
represented clients in nearly every county in the state of Oklahoma. Kingery sees this breath
of experience and statewide practice as one of the key competitive benefits his firm offers to
clients, whether in Ada or other areas in the state. “We’ll continue to work with clients in key
markets like Oklahoma City and Tulsa,” Kingery said. “We’ve also seen a great demand for legal
service needs among Hispanic workers, especially in areas such as Guymon.” Mr. Kingery’s staff
includes a legal assistant fluent in Spanish language and customs, who manages the firm’s
relations with this growing demographic segment in Oklahoma.
Kingery staff members include: Julie Howard, Tracey Keeling, Jenny Peralta, Chrystie
Roebuck and Karen York. “Certainly one of the key assets of this firm is the staff. They not
only believe in the ‘Reality Factor,’ but they often inspire me with new ways to utilize it for the
benefit of our clients and our firm,” Kingery said.
In addition to being a member of Southwest Church of Christ, Kingery somehow finds
time for a surprising array of other personal pursuits. He has a remarkable grasp of American
history, is an accomplished horticulturist, a Fran Tarkenton jersey toting Vikings fan and he is
fluent in everything from Elvis (his favorite) to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Pontotoc, Seminole, Hughes, Coal and Bryan Counties host
children. An overwhelming sixty percent of those children were age 0
family forum to promote joining together to create “Communito 6. This is an increase of nearly twenty percent over 2012. These trauties of Care” that support all children and families.
matic experiences for children are often caused by adults with untreated
More than 18 local community service agencies have joined
mental illness or substance abuse habits and lead to children and youth
together to host It Takes a Whole Village to “Foster” a Change
being placed into state custody.
forum on Friday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to noon with catered
With approximately seventy percent of adults and forty percent of
lunch to follow at the Pontotoc Technology Center 601 W. 33
youth left untreated for mental health issues and seventy-seven percent
St. Ada. The free forum is being offered to the community as
of adults and eighty percent of youth needing help for substance abuse
part of the statewide Communities of Care initiative.
problems, Oklahoma communities must work together for the sake of
Communities of Care representative, Bonnie Keeley, Projthe children and the future.
ect Director of Pontotoc Systems of Care explains the purpose
Further statistics show that for eastern Oklahoma, in 2013, more
of the forum is to raise awareness of the number of community
children entered foster care than there were approved beds. With only
families struggling through traumatic events. These events
1,761 approved beds, 2,217 children were removed from their homes
often weaken the family structure and end with children being
and placed into the system. This startling statistic represents twentytaken into the foster care system. Helping these families on
one percent of the total number of children in Oklahoma removed from
the front end is an investment that results in stronger comtheir family and is a twenty-three percent increase over 2012.
munities.
Because children entering state custody, untreated mental illness
“Working together, we can build stronger, healthier comand substance abuse and other traumatic events affect the entire communities. We want our friends and neighbors to join us Friday
munity, several local resource agencies and businesses have joined toand gain a better understanding of what community services
gether to sponsor the event. The partners represent all sectors of the
are available and how even the smallest commitment of time
community and include businesses, faith-based organizations, tribes,
and resources can help strengthen our community,” says Keecommunity partners and families. Organizations partnering in the
ley.
event include Multi-County Counseling, Seminole & Pontotoc Systems
The free event will include food, prize drawings, guest
of Care, Ada City Schools, Ada Regional United Way, Seminole Nation,
speakers, and information about local community services.
Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Oklahoma Department of HuFamilies are the most basic building block of any community
man Services, Oklahoma Parents as Teachers, Mental Health Services
and the statistics in eastern Oklahoma indicate there are high
of Southern Oklahoma Systems of Care, Smart Start South Central,
numbers of children and families at risk for experiencing some
Oklahoma Family Network, Office of Juvenile Affairs, 1-1-1 Project, and
type of stress that often leads to undesirable outcomes such
Oklahoma Federation of Families, just to name a few.
as divorce, incarceration, or children entering state custody.
Information about the event and the Communities of Care initiative
These situations add stress to theAdult
entire and
community
and
are
can
be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/OKCommunitiesOfCare or
Pediatric
concerning to local businesses, faith-based organizations,
by calling (580) 235-0210. Additional information about resources for
tribes and community partners.
families and how everyone can help will be available at the event.
Families can become fragile for many reasons. Most often
CARRY
these reasons include divorce, unemployment, WE
school
dropout,
unintended pregnancies, homelessness, crime,PAP’S
incarceration,
&
injuries and loss of life. When families are impacted,
the
entire
SUPPLIES!
Supplies and Equipment
community is impacted. “Communities are one living organism just like our bodies,” explains Lynn Smith, MPH, CHES,
Communications and Event Specialist at Oklahoma Systems
of Care. “If a child suffers from 439
a broken
arm, theVista,
wholeAda
body
N. Monte
and soul is affected. When communities
suffer
from
broken
(Across from Valley View Hosp)
family units, we all are impacted. From a less productive work(580) 332-3353
force to increased crime and children entering the system, our
communities suffer. We all need to work together to invest in
our future on the front end. The time is NOW. Together we can
create a stronger, healthier future.”
439 N. Monte Vista, Ada
(Across from Mercy Hospital)
In eastern Oklahoma alone, in 2013, there were 1,498 con(580) 332-3353
firmed reports of child abuse and neglect representing
Home owned 2,781
and operated

Nebulizers

CPAP & BiPAP

Equip Care

Equip Care

8 • www.adahub.com

The
Kingery Law Firm

Sparkle
Give Your
Smile Some

for your special day!

Comprehensive Family Dental Care
• Great with children and adults
• Play area with video games
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Prompt and attentive service
• Sedation Dentistry
• New Smile Financing Plans

Dedicated to Helping
the People of Ada
for Over Twenty Years
Workers Compensation
Personal Injury
Domestic Issues
and Most Civil Matters
Still writing the book on it!
ASISTENTE BILINGUE
Member Chickasaw Tribal Court
530 E. Main
(580) 436-6705 • (855) 436-6705–toll free
www.adahub.com • 9

listen to
the music

by deanna piercy

Music has the power to inspire, break down barriers and bring about positive
change. Anything is possible when tapping your toe or singing along with a live
band. There’s simply no room for discord when music fills the air.
Happyland Music Alliance (HMA),
a new Ada-based
business, “seeks to
promote live music
in a spirit of cooperation among
musicians, venues,
and fans”. David
and Deanna Piercy,
long-time Ada residents and passionate music lovers, recognized the potential
for a thriving music scene in our community and decided to do something about
it. HMA booked their first official performance at The FieldHouse on March
8th where Mandala Faulkner and Thomas Rand drew an impressive first night
crowd.
In just a few short weeks, HMA has grown from a dream to a flourishing
enterprise. HMA currently represents about a dozen bands/musicians and books
shows on a regular basis for The FieldHouse, Ada Rib Crib, Papa Gjorgjo’s North
Lounge and Vintage 22. The response has been enthusiastic and the potential for
growth is promising.
HMA is not just a business. When discussing possible names for the company,
one of the founding members suggested “alliance” and all agreed that was perfect. HMA encourages the musicians to support one another rather than compete. As Lindsay Shane Oliver of Rowdy Folk put it, “It just seems like everywhere
I look, people are stepping on other people to get a leg up, rather than realizing
that shining a light on somebody else doesn’t dim your own light.” That is part
of what is unique about HMA—everyone works together in the spirit of “all for
one and one for all”.
Musicians are invited to join “The Alliance” based upon their musical talent
as well as their willingness to work as a team. At any given show there will be other HMA musicians in the audience enjoying the music and lending their support.
They all share one another’s events via social media and word of mouth. Recently,
when a musician had to cancel a show due to illness, another band stepped in to

“...shining a light on somebody
else doesn’t dim your own light.”

10 • www.adahub.com

cover the gig with less than two hours’ notice.
Local venues have been eager to embrace the
concept of bringing an exciting music scene to
Ada. Currently there are four venues working with
HMA on an official basis. Ada Rib Crib has music
on their patio on Wednesday evenings from 6–9
p.m. Papa Gjorgjo’s North Lounge has recently remodeled their patio and is the scene for Thursday
night music from 7–10. Vintage 22 has had live
music for a long time and is now partnered with
HMA for Fridays from 9 p.m. to midnight. Finally,
The FieldHouse rocks Saturday nights from 9 p.m.
to midnight.
Fans are the third element of a successful music
scene and HMA is actively courting area music lovers. A well-orchestrated social media outreach is
already in place and other forms of advertising are
in the works. Soon there will be “street teams” for
each band, operating in Ada and anywhere else the
bands play.
Ada is the retail hub of south central Oklahoma, a 10-county area with a combined population
of over 240,000. An active live music scene has the
potential to draw thousands of visitors to our city,
bringing additional revenue to existing businesses
and influencing new businesses to locate in Ada.
Everyone can help make this happen by being a
part of “The Alliance” in some fashion, whether
as a musician, venue owner or fan. Music belongs
to everyone and it is the goal of Happyland Music
Alliance to bring people and music together in the
Ada area and beyond.
For more information go to the website at HappylandMusicAlliance.com or like them on Facebook. You may also contact HMA at (844) 8432554.

Klean

Chaney Lane Design

Come Home to...

women’s fashion | home décor | interior decorating
A FULL LINE OF SCENTS
MADE IN THE U.S.A.

candles | car vent clips | fragrance sachets

For every candle purchased,
Bridgewater Candle
Company feeds an
oraphaned child
for a day.

Are you interested in seeking employment in Fire, EMS, or
Dispatching? Our 20 week academy can provide you the
basic skills for these careers. You must be 18 years old and
have a High School diploma or GED. The academy consists
of 785 hours of training and hands on experience.

Enrollment packets are available – due June 30, 2014
Physical fitness and medical evaluations
will be required
Financial aid is available
drive
thru

The Academy starts August 4, 2014
Mon–Fri & some Saturdays | 8a–5p

www.pontotoctech.edu
(580) 310–2276

709 E. Main | Ada, OK
272-0199

er
ect
with Landscaping Glass
Create the

LANDSCAPING GLASS

IS

P f

Outdoor Oasis

COLORFUL, VIBRANT, TRANSLUCENT & MULTIFUNCTIONAL

DCI offers a full range of glass colors and sizes for fire pits, koi
ponds,fountains, garden decor, outdoor living spaces and countertops.

SPECIAL IN-STORE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE.
12 • www.adahub.com

430 E. 10th St. LEARN MORE
Shawnee, 74801

405.275.6657
info@DirectColors.com

ome by and see us! www.DirectColors.com

C

IN SEARCH OF THE FIREBIRD
Learning Russian in Ada

While in high school, most people have the chance to
learn a foreign language. Usually your choices are Spanish or
French, but what about the other languages that are spoken
around the world? It is important, as both global citizens and
for our own national security, to be versed in these other
languages. This is why, in 2006, the National Security Administration (NSA) started funding language programs at
educational institutions through STARTALK. These summer
programs either focus on helping educators to teach these
languages more effectively or helping students become interested in learning these languages by immersing them in language and culture. In
the beginning, they only funded programs
for Chinese and Arabic. Then they added
Hindi, Urdu and Farsi. Finally they added
Dari, Persian, Swahili, Turkish and Russian. This is how STARTALK came to Ada,
Oklahoma.
Dr. Mara Sukholutskaya brought the
Russian language to Ada a long time ago
as a professor at ECU. She has always tried
to give Russian culture a true presence
through education, outreach and travel.
Every summer she takes a group of students (and anyone else who wants to go)
to Russia, and sometimes the Ukraine.
Through the course of her teaching and
travel, Mara has become friends with other Russian teachers around the country.
It was one of these friends who told her
about the STARTALK program. When deciding what she wanted to do, she came up
with the idea for a three week residential
camp for students in 8–12 grades, that can also be offered as
a college course, and titled it “In Search of the Firebird”. The
Firebird is an image steeped in Russian culture and folklore.
Though Mara originally wanted to serve Oklahoma with
this program, it was open to all 50 states. Because of this,
students came from not just Oklahoma they were also from
Connecticut, Ohio, Texas, Florida and even one student who
was originally from Saudi Arabia. The program was a mix of
language and culture. The language portion was taught by
native Russian speakers and the culture portion was taught
by current and former ECU professors. They studied history,
literature, music and more. The dorm counselors were college
students learning Russian and would engage the students
with Russian activities in the evening. They would go on field
trips during the weekends and have a banquet at the end
to celebrate their time learning together. Students would
perform, dance, recite poetry and appreciate the fellowship
that is encouraged by this kind of immersive cultural experience. The most amazing thing, though, is that for the first
two years of the program, it was absolutely free. The students

by sunnie dawn smith
had to get to Ada and get back home
but erything else was paid for by the
NSA grant.
This year, however, things have
changed. The program wasn’t funded, leaving Mara and others wondering what they were going to do. They
definitely knew that they didn’t want
to cancel the program, though. They
could keep the program going if they
charged students,
but it would be
cost prohibitive
for many of the
students. Private
donors stepped up,
though, and contributed enough
money so that each
student now only
has to pay $95.00
for this ex perience. Also, when
the funding didn’t
come through this
year, Mara spoke
with all of the former instructors,
telling them that
she might not be
able to rehire them
this year. The majority of them were
willing to volunteer, teaching these
students free of charge.
Though this program has had its
ups and downs, Mara emphasizes that
it is here to stay. She will do whatever
she must in order to keep this unique
and valuable summer program at
ECU. As she says, “It is important in
our world to have this experience and
understand other cultures.” So this
summer, the last week of June 12,
students will get to have this wonderful experience of being immersed
in another culture without having
to travel across the world. Hopefully
some of these students will continue
their studies and use this knowledge
to understand other parts of the
globe. For more information contact
msukholu@ecok.edu.

Common Sense
Investing
Founded on
Academic Research
Have you ever had a friend,
neighbor, or financial advisor
recommend an investment that
will “considerably increase your
return/interest with seemingly
no additional risk”? If so, I
would like to remind you of a
simple investment truth: “Risk
and Return Are Related”. If
Investment “A” is expected to
earn 2% and Investment “B” is
expected to earn 6%, then “B” is
exposing you to higher potential
risk(s) than “A”. Does this mean
one is better than the other?
Absolutely not, however, it does
mean Investment “B” must
reward investors with a higher
expected return in order to
compensate them for taking the
additional risk(s). Be aware that
there is a Risk/Return tradeoff
for any investment you make. If
you hang on to this simple truth,
you will be more likely to pursue
your long term financial goals
with greater success.

health & wellness
What do you think about when
you hear the word “pharmacy”? Is it just
a place to pick up your prescriptions? It
should be something more. It should be a
place where you can ask the pharmacist
questions and get an answer which suits
by sunnie dawn smith
your needs. You shouldn’t feel rushed by
the staff, but instead feel like someone
actually cares about your health and well-being. You shouldn’t just be a number at a
pharmacy; you should be treated with care and humanity. This is something that the
new owners of Doctor’s Park Pharmacy, Aaron and Johnna Heilaman, know very well.
Aaron was twenty-two when he was diagnosed with cancer: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was, of course, a very scary time in his life. He had already lost both of his
parents to cancer. He was determined to survive, though. He had one round of radiation and then 16 weeks of chemotherapy. Afterwards, the cancer had spread from one
side of his body to the other, so he had to have another round of radiation. The whole
ordeal lasted from July of 2000 to May of 2001 and he has been cancer free ever
since. This ordeal not only gave him a new sense of life and humanity, it also gave
him the extra push to achieve his dream of becoming a pharmacist.
Aaron grew up watching his uncle work as a pharmacist and he loved seeing the
way his uncle ran his small independent pharmacy, getting to know the customers and
helping them the best that he could. Aaron wanted to follow in his uncle’s footsteps,
but he had too many distractions in college and was more interested in playing ball at
the time. When Aaron got sick, though, he discovered what was truly important in his
life. He decided to follow his dream to become a pharmacist. He also married Johnna,
the woman who had already been with him through better and worse. From the
beginning of their relationship as servers working at El Chico’s, to the battle against
Lymphoma, Johnna had been there for him, encouraging him every step of the way. So,
in 2002, Johnna Howard became Johnna Heilaman.
When Aaron graduated from OU School of Pharmacy in 2007, he started out
working for big chain pharmacies. He thought at the time, “If this is what pharmacies
are, I’m changing careers.” After growing up seeing his uncle provide the personal
touches of a small independent pharmacy, he could barely stand the impersonality
of a large corporate pharmacy. After that, he also worked in hospitals and for Indian
Health Services. His ultimate goal, though, was to have a pharmacy of his own. His
dream finally came true on December 26, 2012, with Doctor’s
Park Pharmacy.
Doctor’s Park Pharmacy has been in its current location at 1414 Arlington St.
Suite 2000, since 1974. During this time, only three families have owned it: the
Wilson’s, the Smith’s, and now the Heilaman’s. It almost seems like this pharmacy
was meant to be for Aaron, though. He was from Hinton, OK, and so was the former

Doctor’s Park
Pharmacy

LOANS FOR
ALL YOUR
SUMMER
FUN!
14 • www.adahub.com

pharmacist. Aaron had known him his entire life and grew up
with his oldest son. And now, all those years later and 135 miles
away, Aaron purchased the pharmacy from a man he knew in
boyhood.
Aaron loves what he does. He loves the interaction with
people, being a people person himself. He enjoys seeing them,
talking to them, and answering any question they have. Sometime it’s difficult to know if you need to see a doctor or not, and
Aaron can skillfully advise his customers in the appropriate
course of action. The best part is you don’t have to make an
appointment to see a pharmacist.
His philosophy of what a pharmacy should be grew out
of his uncle’s example. You should have time to talk to people
and he can do this because he is his own boss. He answers to
himself only, while at the big chains you are answering to shareholders. He says, “At the heart of pharmacy is a relationship
between you and someone who is coming to you and trusts you.”
He wants people to feel comfortable talking to them and help
them get better. He likes to establish relationships and develop
a true sense of community.
You can get the same prescriptions there that you can
anywhere else, but the difference is you don’t have to wait for
two hours, you are going to see the same four or five people
working, and there is a good chance that they will know your
name. Since they are also a compounding pharmacy, Aaron
can make things that are specialized. For instance, he can take
allergens out of specific medicines. He can also adjust the
strength of certain medicines, such as hormones. They have
over the counter medicines (and if they don’t have it, they will
order it). They also have gift merchandise like little giraffe blankets, adult blankets, baby blankets, Leanin’ Tree cards, Swan
Creek Candles and Leachco baby products. You can also custom
order jewelry from them.
The size of the business may be small, but there is plenty
they have to offer. They have free in-town deliveries and can
provide more individualized care. Everyone, both customers
and employees, call the pharmacist by his name: Aaron. Also,
by shopping at a small independent pharmacy you are keeping
all of the money in the community. So stop by Doctor’s Park
Pharmacy or call them for any questions you may have at
(580) 332–5720.

Home - RV - Boat - Watercraft
And of course, trucks to haul them!
Arvest strives to give our customers the best in
customer service. With competitive loan rates and